Jones Falls. We’ve covered it before but it’s been a few years. My second son, closing in on 19 years old, has taken an interest in photography. With a better paying job at 18 than I ever had, he’s starting out in the hobby with a better camera than me. Specifically, he was interested in long exposure photography – probably from being dragged around by me so many times. There’s no better place to teach someone the basics than at Jones Falls at Pottawatomi Conservation Area, just outside Owen Sound, Ontario.
The place is free to visit and just a short walk from the parking lot. There is nearly never a crowd. In fact, we were alone in the park the whole time we were shooting. Plus, the waterfall is easy to access, base or crest. The biggest problem is that the waterfall is seasonal and is dependent on winter run-off or big summer rain storms. Now, mid-May, was a perfect time to visit.
The images included here are mine. They are taken with my aging Canon Rebel T3i. My son was shooting with his T6i. The video included at the bottom of this article was taken with my GoPro Hero 5 Black. For full size, high resolution versions of any of the images in the gallery, simply click on the individual photos. See below for more detailed info on Jones Falls and Owen Sound.
Jones Falls Image Gallery
Jones Falls
Jones Falls is a waterfall with a height of 35 feet and a varying crest and base, depending on water volume and season. The cascade type waterfall is on the Pottawatomi River within the Pottawatomi Conservation Area. The park is small at 116 hectares, is free to visit and is on the Bruce Trail.
The parking lot is on highway 6, just north of where highway 21 and highway 6 go different directions at Springmount. The Pottawatomi River shortly after drains into Owen Sound and Georgian Bay. Probably 99.9% of folks driving past on their way from Toronto to the Bruce Peninsula don’t even bat an eye at the park.
In the area, there are several other waterfalls, resulting from the Niagara Escarpment. Inglis Falls is the headliner. The 55 feet high cascade is the centre piece of Inglis Falls Conservation Area. This waterfall is the result of the Sydenham River tumbling over the Niagara Escarpment. The Bruce Trail also runs through this park. This is the only waterfall in the area that you have to pay to see.
Indian Falls is the most unique. Located just northwest of Owen Sound, Indian Falls is a plunge or curtain waterfall that drops 45 feet on Indian Creek. You can step out to the edge of the crest or hike up to the base and even walk behind the falls.
Owen Sound, Ontario
Owen Sound, Ontario is a city of 22,000 with about 32,000 in the greater area. There has been little population growth in the city since the early 1990’s. Originally, Owen Sound was named Sydenham and was established in 1840. By 1852, this was the county seat of Grey County. The Sydenham and Pottawatomi Rivers empty into Owen Sound here and travel through Georgian Bay to the rest of the Great Lakes.
Owen Sound is the smallest home to an Ontario Hockey League team. The Owen Sound Attack began in 1989-90 as the Owen Sound Platers. The franchise was moved from Guelph, Ontario where they were known as the Guelph Platers from 1982-83.
The name was changed to the Attack for the 2000-01 season. The team plays home games at the J.D. McArthur Arena at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Alumni of the Attack include Bobby Ryan, Wayne Simmonds and Sean Avery.
Jones Falls Video
The following video was taken on the same day as the above images. The video was taken with the GoPro Hero 5 Black and the above long exposure images are also included in the video. If you like the video, please give it a thumb’s up in YouTube. If you love it, please share with friends!
